Vlad Duric is hopeful feisty Italian stayer Voila Ici can return him to the lofty heights of Caulfield Cup success exactly five years after his greatest moment as a jockey.
Photo by Racing and Sports
It was October 20, 2007 when Duric steered Master O'Reilly to an emphatic win in Australia's iconic mile-and-a-half gallop at Caulfield, stamping himself as one of Victoria's premier jockeys.
He rode Master O'Reilly in the next two Caulfield Cups, but hasn't ridden in the race since 2009, due in part to a three-year stint in Singapore.
Duric returned to Australia in March and now looks to be back to his best having ridden 24 winners in Victoria already this season. Only Glen Boss, Michael Walker, Dean Yendall and Brad Rawiller are ahead of him on that list.
He's certainly earned Saturday's ride in the Caulfield Cup.
“It's nice to ride in good races, that's what we get out of bed for,” Duric said.
“It's always difficult when you've been out of the scene for so long, I was away for just over three years, so you come back and all you can do is work hard and hope for a bit of luck.
“I was very fortunate when I first came back that Darley took me on and really helped me get myself back up in lights a little bit.
“I've had a lot of luck for them and I think that's been a big part of it.”
Voila Ici might just be the horse to return Duric to the top of the Caulfield Cup tree.
He's been stabled under the tutelage of leading Victorian trainer Peter Moody since travelling to Australia from Italy, and all three runs this time in have had merit.
He ran sixth in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) before almost pinching the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield two runs back.
Voila Ici led most the trip but was worn down late on by New Zealand star and Cox Plate fancy Ocean Park.
Two weeks ago he played up heading to the barriers before racing very keenly over the 2000m of the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes. After doing plenty of work, Voila Ici still held on for a game fourth behind only Green Moon, Seville and December Draw.
“The other day was a bit of a balls-up, how he carried on going to the start,” Duric said.
“He got pretty wound up and just wanted to over-race a little bit in front just because he got a little bit wound up going around there.
“He gave me a beautiful ride at Caulfield, he settled so well and that's why I was a bit shocked that he over raced at Flemington on me.
“I put it down to how he carried on going around to the start. If I can get him there nice and quiet and he does everything right, he's going to definitely be a chance in the race for sure.”
